Midnight Momento (Astalièr Series I)

MDT 32

Chapter 32

"I'll be out till eleven pm, you should go home." paalam ko kay Rohen. Simula dumating kami kahapon ay wala akong ibang ginawa kundi magtrabaho. Malapit na ang hearing sa korte ng kasong hinahawakan ko. I need to be ready.

He placed his palm on my table and bent a little. "I'll wait for you." hindi na ako nagulat sa sagot niya.

Umiling-iling ako at kinuha na ang bag na naglalaman ng mga files para sa kaso. Sinuot ko na iyon sa balikat bago humarap sa kanya. Pakalat-kalat lang siya rito sa opisina buong araw. Hinahayaan ko lang siya dahil kailangan niya naman talaga ng pahinga dahil sa nangyari.

"I will be meeting a client. Confidential ang pag-uusapan namin."

"Then why not talk here?"

I licked my lower lip. "I've been rotting here in my office all day. Can't I inhale some fresh air outside?" I said back before walking out of my office.

Sumunod siya sa likod ko. Si Dulcie ay naghahanda na rin sa pag-uwi, pagkaalis ko kasi ay siya na rin ang magsasara ng law firm.

"Then I will wait outside. Ihahatid kita pauwi." pagbabakasali niyang makumbinsi ako.

"You were shot and you needed proper rest. Wag mo nang ubusan ang lakas mo sa akin at umuwi ka na, Atticus Rohen."

I heard him sighed.

"Bye, Dulcie. See you tomorrow." paalam ko nang madaanan ko ito sa desk niya.

"See you, Atty, at Sir! Ingat po kayo!" wika rin nito pabalik.

I just smiled at her and walked past the entrance door.

"Bye, Dulcie." sagot rin ni Rohen bago ko siya muling maramdaman na naglalakad sa likod ko.

I stopped in front of the lift and pushed the button. I crossed my arms on my chest when I felt him literally behind me.

"And why is your meeting so late? Can't you meet that client tomorrow when the sun has already risen?" he probed again on my ear.

I turned my head towards him and gave him an irritated look. His face was just a couple of inches from mine, and he also gave me his unpleasant look. Brows furrowed and creased forehead.

"My client finishes his work late. And we cannot waste time, that's why we're maximizing it." I turned my lips into a thin line before talking again. "This is my work. Why are you interfering? I said don't bother me." paalala ko sa kanya na may halong banta.

Hindi ko siya sinisita kanina kahit naaabala niya ako sa trabaho. For everything he has done for me, all I could give back was my patience and understanding for him. But he's been pulling this attitude for the whole day. Ayaw ko sa lahat makulit at paulit-ulit.

"You might not remember because you are loaded with work, but the mastermind was still strolling around and we still have no idea who he is." he placed both of his hands on his waist. "And don't pull the 'we're here in Manila so you'll be safe'. There's no safe place until the main culprit is arrested."

I stared at him intently and my words suddenly disappear from my mouth before I could even talk. Kung hindi dahil sa pagtunog at pagbukas ng elevator, hindi kami magpapatinag sa isa't-isa.

Pinutol ko na ang titigan namin at nauna nang pumasok, sumunod naman siya agad. Tahimik na kami habang pababa sa basement. At this moment I could already foresee what's gonna happen.

"I'll take my car, you take yours." lathala ko bago lumabas ng elevator naman bumukas na iyon.

He didn't expect me to give in so it took him seconds before he ran behind me again.